Leaders often claim they can't change their communication style, but they'll quickly adapt for the board. A Communication Styles Test found 75% of employees have a different style than their boss, and mismatches lower engagement by 10-21%. Simple adjustments in detail, speed, or tone can fix this.
When a leader says, that's just how I am. I can't change, try this thought experiment. Ask, imagine our board chair told you that they only listen to people who wear all black. What would you do? Almost every leader says, well, of course, I'd start wearing all black anytime I saw that person. So, they can change instantly for somebody above them. I can't change really means I won't change for you. Why does it matter? Our Communication Styles Test shows 3/4 of employees have a different communication style than their boss. And when those styles mismatch, the employee's engagement runs 10% to 21% lower. The adjustments aren't dramatic. More data for one person, more bottom line, get to the point quickly for another person. We would never tolerate a leader who refused to adapt for our biggest customer. So stop accepting when a leader refuses to adapt for their own team.
